New Microsoft Patent – The Future of Xbox Gaming?

Sure I remember my first Pong game, but I think the stand out for my kid will be the Xbox Kinect. She was enthralled with the whole immersive aspects of it and it was fun for a few days, but as I get to reading some of the recently filed patent information on what is purported to be the next big thing in gaming, I have got to admit there is a major bit of wow-factor. Could it become a reality? Heck, why not?

Check out what we have learned about what just may someday be, the Xbox. According to the aforementioned patent application, Microsoft may be bringing to life all our futuristic dreams with a totally immersive experience. This patent clearly states that “An immersive display environment is provided to a human user by projecting a peripheral image onto environmental surfaces around the user. The peripheral images serve as an extension to a primary image displayed on a primary display.” So I guess that means, that someday in what I hope, is the not too distant future, we might not be gaming on our TV’s, we’ll be gaming in the whole darn living room.

So is it possible that Microsoft is really planning to create this fully futuristic gaming environment? All the diagrams included in this particular filing, seem to depict a display environment involving a whole lot more than just the TV and the walls. I am already picturing the living room coming to life in the first totally immersive (sometimes even 3D) gaming environment where the peripheral image can also appear to surround the player. Yes, it looks like there may be headgear involved, yes there are special cameras and projectors, and yes! It could be totally awesome. When do you guys think we’ll actually get to “play” like this? and how much money are we going to need to save up to do it?